The best kit for the London marathon 2016

The London marathon is the great leveller, a punishing 26 mile course that's an endurance challenge suitable for serious athletes and fun-runners alike. Whether you’re a marathon virgin or a parkrun veteran, the right kit can fast track your form, times and results. Upgrading your gear is the first step to a stronger performance come marathon day.

Tighten up your game

Compression gear increases the efficiency of your circulation – you know that. What you might not know is that SKINS’ DNAmic BMI matrix uses your height and weight to determine the right fit, ensuring you the optimum fit for fighting DOMS. Plus, their unique polymer fabric controls temperature, so your spring training will outpace the elements.

Cover all bases

You might not spend too much time contemplating the science of sockery, but regular runners will understand the need for a quality pair. The breathable yarn woven into Asics’ marathon socks increases ventilation to keep your feet dry, reducing friction and the chance of blisters.

Knit your average t-shirt

Knitted running gear sounds quaint at best, but there is method behind Nike’s apparent madness. This variation on their Dri-FIT tech enhances breathability through its mesh, which also aids a seamless construction, and looks as good on the podium as it does in the pub.

Max out your PB

Heart rate, GPS tracking, social media prompts: this Garmin Forerunner ticks all the boxes of a smart watch in 2016. Where it comes to life is in its VO2 Max measuring – this is the optimal measure of fitness for endurance runners and usually requires extensive testing. Having yours at the flick of a screen keeps you one step ahead of your PB.

Juice up

A steady stream of glucose to the muscles will make sure you never stray within sight of the wall, let alone hit it. Tear into an isotonic gel when you’re feeling strong to pre-empt the crash and keep moving at speed – SiS’s carb-rich formulation can be ingested without water, so you can refuel free of water stations.

Turn it up to 10

If slippery headphones are ruining your running zen, try Adidas’ new model for size. Their in-ear Sportclip construction keeps stable on the move and is sweat resistant to ensure a comfortable fit throughout your run, plus the Bluetooth connectivity means you can run wire-free.

Good for the sole

No matter how much choice you have when it comes to shoes, none of them were built with your feet in mind. For maximal energy return, expert cushioning and increased muscle activation, you need to invest in insoles. Profeet’s vacuum technology creates a perfect mould of your feet for true specialisation. Time to go bespoke.

Perform when it counts

Epic runs call for equally impressive runners. Lightweight cushioning built into this distance shoe doesn’t detract from its racer profile, angled to keep you moving smoothly when the pace picks up – and to make sure you’re on trend when the run is over.

Endure for longer

Chafing clothes are the bane of endurance athletes across the board, but runners have it the worst. Constant linear movement of the whole body draws blood in places no man should suffer. Activbod’s anti-friction cream minimises chafing and moisturises skin in one application – complete with anti-inflammatory calendula oil, you’ll be one slick operator.

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